Why Nest Thermostat Not Following Schedule?

In 2022, the Nest thermostat was the New York Times’ top pick among smart thermostats. This is mostly due to how easy it is to use and its range of energy-efficient features. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s foolproof.

If your Nest Thermostat isn’t following your schedule, your model may not have this feature, or if it does, you may not have enabled it. If your unit is fairly new, it will take some time to learn your schedule. Scheduling issues may also be due to your sensors malfunctioning. 

These are some of the more common reasons for a Nest thermostat’s scheduling issues. In this article, I’ll discuss them in more detail and a few others. I’ll also provide you with solutions that will help get your thermostat back on schedule.

1. Your Model Doesn’t Include Auto-Schedule

There are three types of Nest thermostats:

• Nest Thermostat
• Nest Thermostat E
• Nest Learning Thermostat

The Nest Learning Thermostat also has 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation models. Although all models look similar, their features vary.

The Nest Thermostat E and the Nest Learning Thermostat are the only models that can follow your schedule. If you’re uncertain which model you have, check your Nest app. Your thermostat’s display or base should also indicate the model type.

Resolving the Issue

Depending on your Nest thermostat model, here’s how to fix this problem: 

Nest Thermostat

Auto-schedule allows the Nest Thermostat to follow your routine. Unfortunately, if you don’t have either the Nest Thermostat E or the Nest Learning thermostat, you won’t have this feature.

Do you have the Nest Thermostat model? In this case, you can enable the Savings Finder feature, which offers suggestions on temperature adjustments. Once enabled, it may take a few days, but the app will notify you when Savings Finder is available.

Temperature adjustment notifications will appear, giving you the option to choose:

• Temperature schedules
• Eco temperatures
• Sleep temperatures

You can then select your preferred temperature settings. This will allow the thermostat to follow a fixed schedule, and you’ll need to manually override your current settings if you’d like to adjust your schedule. 

However, the thermostat will continue to send suggestions, which you can accept or dismiss.  

Read: Why Nest Thermostat Turns Off By Itself – Troubleshooting Guide

Nest Thermostat E and Nest Learning Thermostat

If you want your Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat to follow your schedule, you should enable learning. You can do this by selecting Auto-schedule on your app. 

Once you do, your thermostat will track the temperatures you select at different times of the day. As it learns your schedule, it will adjust the thermostat and base these changes on your previous temperature settings.

However, as with the Nest Thermostat, it will take a few days before the Nest Thermostat E, or the Nest Learning Thermostat learns your schedule.

Read: Nest Or Ecobee Thermostat. What To Choose?

2. The Feature Isn’t Enabled on the Nest Thermostat

When you install a Nest Thermostat E or the Nest Learning Thermostat, the default mode will enable Auto-Schedule. It’s possible to inadvertently disable this feature while exploring your settings. If this happens, your thermostat won’t follow your schedule, especially if the unit is new.

Resolving the Issue

If your Nest unit isn’t following your schedule, you’ll need to do some troubleshooting to get to the root cause. The first thing you should check your settings, as this will let you know if  Auto-Schedule is enabled. 

Here’s how to do this using the Nest App:

1. Select your Nest Thermostat after opening the Nest App.
2. Select Settings, then go to Auto-Schedule.
3. If Auto-Schedule is off, turn it on.

Here’s how to enable Auto-Schedule on your Nest Thermostat E or the Nest Learning Thermostat:

1. Select Settings on your thermostat.
2. Go to NetSense and Auto-Schedule.
3. If Auto-Schedule is off, turn it on.

You can also follow these steps if you ever want to disable Auto-Schedule. 

Read: Ecobee Thermostat’s Internal Temperature Sensor Isn’t Working. How To Fix?

3. The Nest Thermostat’s Sensors Are Malfunctioning

The Nest sensor is an important component of all Nest Thermostat models. Once you install the sensors around your home, they help determine the temperature of each room and allow the Nest Thermostat to set schedules.

If your Nest Thermostat isn’t following your schedule, you may have an issue with one or more of your sensors. It may mean your sensors aren’t communicating with your thermostat, or the sensors aren’t connecting.  

Resolving the Issue

There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot Nest thermostat sensor issues. Start by ensuring your sensor is active. You can do this by going to the Nest App and checking the sensor activity. If there’s an issue, the sensor will show as offline on the home screen.

If this isn’t the problem, check where you’ve placed the sensors. Sensor placement is important. Placing them too high or low from the thermostat can affect each room’s temperature. It can result in extremes in temperature. A room might be too cold or overheated.

Google recommends you place your sensors chest high. They also shouldn’t be more than 50 feet (15 meters) from the thermostat. 

The distance required may vary, depending on the objects within your home that may affect the wireless range. This includes walls, furniture, electronics, etc.

Most sensor issues occur when they’re incorrectly installed. If you’re uncertain how to set up your sensors, this video will guide you:

If, even after troubleshooting, the issue isn’t resolved, you’ll need to call an HVAC specialist.

4. The Nest Thermostat Is Set to Eco Temperature

The Eco Temperatures on the Nest Thermostat help you save energy. When enabled on Nest Thermostat E or the Nest Learning Thermostat, you’ll see the word Eco on your display. This mode will turn your system off when no one is home. 

Your thermostat can automatically switch to this mode if it senses nobody’s home. Manually switching your system to Home/Away Assist will enable Eco-Mode. You can also manually select this mode.

Once in Eco-Mode, your Nest Thermostat won’t follow your schedule.

However, even in Eco-Mode, the Nest Thermostat will revert to scheduled temperature settings. It will stay in this mode for up to 24 hours if you manually set it on your thermostat. 

Resolving the Issue

Resolving this issue on your Nest Thermostat E or the Nest Learning Thermostat will involve disabling Eco-Mode. Go to the Nest App and look for Eco at the bottom of the home screen. Tapping on it will prompt you to select the thermostat you want to disable the mode on. 

Once disabled, your thermostat will start following your schedule again. Here’s a step-by-step video on how to disable Eco-Mode:

Summary

There were over 19 million smart thermostats installed in homes throughout the country by the end of 2021. This figure could increase to over 38 million by 2026. The Nest thermostat is a popular choice among homeowners. 

Despite this, you may encounter issues with your Nest Thermostat over time. These can include malfunctioning sensors, the setting you’ve enabled, or the features available on your Nest Thermostat model.

Using this article as a guide can resolve a few of them. However, if you still have problems, you should contact an HVAC company. Choose one with experience working with Nest Thermostats.